Removable peripheral light assembly for bathroom mirror

ABSTRACT

An inverted U-shaped frame including an upper bight portion from whose opposite ends a pair of generally parallel legs depend. Longitudinally spaced portions of the legs are provided with illumination sources for casting light outwardly of one side of the U-shaped member and the latter includes structure for supporting the U-shaped member with its other side substantially flush against a bathroom mirror or the like. Further, an extension cord is provided and electrically connected to the various illumination sources whereby the latter may be electrically connected to a suitable source of electrical potential.

United States Patent 1 91 Burrows [54] REMOVABLE PERIPHERAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR BATHROOM MIRROR Drive NTWI, warrea'maz idss" 22 Filed: Oct. 15,1971

21 Appl. No.: 189,717

[52] US. Cl. ..240/4.2, 240/4.1, 312/223,

312/224 [51] Int. Cl ..F21v 33/00 [58] Field of Search ..240/4.1, 4.2; 312/223, 224; 248/301, 304, 307, 225; 21 1/1 1 3 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,038,771 6/1962 Schwartz et al. ..240/4.1 X 3,059,103 10/1962 Myerberg ..240/4.l

[451 June 5, 1973 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Attorney-Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT An inverted U-shaped frame including an upper bight portion from whose opposite ends a pair of generally parallel legs depend. Longitudinally spaced portions of the legs are provided with illumination sources for casting light outwardly of one side of the U-shaped member and the latter includes structure for supporting the U-shaped member with its other side substantially flush against a bathroom mirror or the like. Further, an extension cord is provided and electrically connected to the various illumination sources whereby the latter may be electrically connected to a suitable source of electrical potential.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures REMOVABLE PERIPHERAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR BATHROOM MIRROR The light assembly of the instant invention has been designed to provide a means whereby a person using a bathroom mirror or the like may have light cast upon his face from positions disposed forward of and to the opposite sides of the face of the user of the associated mirror. In this manner ample illumination of all portions of the face of a person looking into the associated mirror are illuminated with substantially no shadows present.

The light assembly has further been designed in a manner such that is may be readily removed from an associated mirror and supported adjacent another remotely disposed mirror also, the light assembly includes a female receptacle into which the male plugs of various electrical appliances such as shavers and hair dryers etc. may be plugged.

The main object of this invention is to provide a light assembly for use in conjunction with a mirror and constructed in a manner whereby the light assembly may be readily removably supported from substantially any mirror.

Another object of this invention is to provide a light assembly which, when used in conjunction with a mirror, will illuminate the face of the user of the mirror from locations spaced forward of the users face and disposed on opposite sides of the users line of vision.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a light assembly for electrical actuation by conventional household current and including a female receptable plug into which the male plugs of various different electrical appliances may be plugged.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a light assembly in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the light assembly of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the light assembly; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical-section of the view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the center of the U-shaped frame of the light assembly and disposed generally normal to the U-shaped frame.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral generally designates a bathroom wall having an opening 12 formed therein in which a medicine cabinet referred to in general by the reference numeral 14 is mounted. The medicine cabinet 14 includes the usual mirrored and hinged forward door or closure 16 and it will be noted that when the door or closure 16 is in the closed position it is faced slightly outwardly of the wall 10 and its peripheral portions project slightly outwardly beyond the corresponding peripheral portions of the medicine cabinet 14.

The light assembly of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 18 and includes a U-shaped frame referred to in general by the reference numeral 20 consisting of an upper horizontal bight portion 22 and a pair of deep ending opposite side legs 24 and 26 which project downwardly from the 0pposite ends of the bight portion 22. The bight portion 22 is rigidly connected between the upper ends of the legs 24 and 26 and each leg 24 and 26 comprises a U- shaped channel member opening toward the rear side of the frame 20. Also, the bight portion 22 comprises a similar channel member which opens toward the rear side of the frame 20. However, the upper flange 22' of the channel member defining the bight portion 22 includes a rearward extension 28 which is downturned at its free marginal edge portion as at 30 to define a retaining flange.

The retaining flange 30 is spaced rearward of the coplanar rear edges of the legs 24 and 26 a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the door or closure 16 of the medicine cabinet 14. Accordingly, the upper marginal edge portion of the door or closure 16 which projects above the upper marginal edge of the cabinet 14 is receivable within the channel defined between the downturned flange or edge portion 30 and the bight portion 22. Thus, the frame 20 may be mounted on the upper marginal edge portion of the door or closure 16 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings for ready removal therefrom.

A plurality of incandescent lamp sockets 32 are secured through the bight portions 34 of the legs 24 and 26 and a plurality of incandescent lamps 36 are removably secured in the sockets 32. In addition, a female receptable plug 40 is secured through the lower end of the bight portion 34 of the leg 24. A conductor assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 42 electrically connects the sockets 32 and the receptable plug 40 in parallel relation and includes a free end portion 44 which is flexible and extends away from the central area of the bight portion 22. The terminal end of the free end portion 44 may of course be electrically connected to any suitable source (not shown) of electrical potential by means of a male plug carried by the free end portion 44 and plugged into a suitable household female receptacle plug.

After the light assembly 18 has been mounted on the door or closure 16, the free end portion 44 of the conductor assembly 42 may be electrically connected to any suitable source of electrical potential. This will cause the lamps 38 to be electrically actuated and to cast light upon the face of the user of the mirrored door or closure 16 from both sides of the users face and also from above the head of the user. Further, if the user of the lamp assembly 18 desires, an electrical appliance may be plugged into the female receptacle plug 40.

The legs 24 and 26 as well as the bight portion 22 of the light assembly 18 may be constructed of any suitable plastic material and an inline switch(not shown) or any other suitable switch may be electrically connected in the conductor assembly 42 in order to provide control over the lamps 38 and the plug 40 independent of plugging in and unplugging the free end of the terminal end 44. Also, if it is desired, the rearwardly opening channel members defining the legs 24 and 26 as well as the bight portion 22 may be closed by means of suitable panel members, if desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A light assembly for positioning closely adjacent a panel having a substantially planar mirror surface and an upper horizontal marginal edge portion, said light assembly comprising a frame having upstanding opposite side portions and an upper generally horizontal portion extending between and secured to the upper ends of said upstanding opposite side portions and which together define a void area between said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion, said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion each having a front surface, said front surfaces being disposed generally inthe same upstanding plane, illumination means on each of said opposite side portions at points spaced longitudinally therealong operative, when actuated, to direct light outward of said front surface, means for removably supporting said frame in front of said mirror surface with the front surface of said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion adjacent and generally paralleling said mirror surface, said supporting means comprising a lateral outward extension of said upper horizontal portion, which extension extends in a direction opposite the direction of said light and defines a horizontal downwardly opening channel extending outwardly from the rear surface of said upper horizontal portion for removably receiving the upper horizontal marginal edge portion of the panel.

2. A light assembly comprising, in combination, a panel having a substantially planar mirror surface and an exposed upper horizontal marginal edge portion, a frame comprising upstanding opposite side portions and an upper generally horizontal portion extending between and secured to the upper ends of said upstanding opposite side portions and which together define a void area'between said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion, said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion each having a front surface, said front surfaces being disposed generally in the same upstanding plane, illumination means on each of said opposite side portions at points spaced longitudinally therealong operative, when actuated, to direct light outward of said front surface, means for removably supporting said frame in front of said mirror surface with the front surface of said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion adjacent and generally paralleling said mirror surface, said supporting means comprising a lateral outward extension of said upper horizontal portion, which extension extends in a direction opposite the direction of said light and defines a horizontal downwardly opening channel extending outwardly from the rear surface of said upper horizontal portion for removably receiving the upper horizontal marginal edge portion of the panel.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said opposite side portions define upstanding channel members opening toward said other side of said frame, said illumination means including electric lamp socket means supported from the bight portions of said channel members and having electric lamps secured therein, and electrical conductor means disposed within said channel members and electrically connecting said electric lamp sockets in parallel relation, said conductor means including a free extension cord defining portion adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electrical potential.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein one of said bight portions also includes a female plug electrical receptacle supported therefrom, said receptacle also being connected to said electrical conductor means. 

1. A light assembly for positioning closely adjacent a panel having a substantially planar mirror surface and an upper horizontal marginal edge portion, said light assembly comprising a frame having upstanding opposite side portions and an upper generally horizontal portion extending between and secured to the upper ends of said upstanding opposite side portions and which together define a void area between said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion, said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion each having a front surface, said front surfaces being disposed generally in the same upstanding plane, illumination means on each of said opposite side portions at points spaced longitudinally therealong operative, when actuated, to direct light outward of said front surface, means for removably supporting said frame in front of said mirror surface with the front surface of said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion adjacent and generally paralleling said mirror surface, said supporting means comprising a lateral outward extension of said upper horizontal portion, which extension extends in a direction opposite the direction of said light and defines a horizontal downwardly opening channel extending outwardly from the rear surface of said upper horizontal portion for removably receiving the upper horizontal marginal edge portion of the panel.
 2. A light assembly comprising, in combination, a panel having a substantially planar mirror surface and an exposed upper horizontal marginal edge portion, a frame comprising upstanding opposite side portions and an upper generally horizontal portion extending between and secured to the upper ends of said upstanding opposite side portions and which together define a void area between said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion, said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion each having a front surface, said front surfaces being disposed generally in the same upstanding plane, illumination means on each of said opposite side portions at points spaced longitudinally therealong operative, when actuated, to direct light outward of said front surface, means for removably supporting said frame in front of said mirror surface with the front surface of said opposite side portions and said upper horizontal portion adjacent and generally paralleling said mirror surface, said supporting means comprising a lateral outward extension of said upper horizontal portion, which extension extends in a direction opposite the direction of said light and defines a horizontal downwardly opening channel extending outwardly from the rear surface of said upper horizontal portion for removably receiving the upper horizontal marginal edge portion of the panel.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said opposite side portions define upstanding channel members opening toward said other side of said frame, said illumination means including electric lamp socket means supported from the bight portions of said channel members and having electric lamps secured therein, and electrical conductor means disposed within said channel members and electrically connecting said electric lamp sockets in parallel relation, said conductor means including a free extension cord defining portion adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electrical potential.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein one of said bight portions also includes a female plug electrical receptacle supported therefrom, said receptacle also being connected to said electrical conductor means. 